Bucatini With Italian Sausage

Bucatini With Italian Sausage
A Very Rustic, Hearty & Flavorful Dish!
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 package Bucatini pasta, cooked according to directions.
3 fresh sweet Italian sausages, cooked and sliced
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 large yellow onion, sliced
2 baby eggplants, cubed
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
2 cups of fresh marinara sauce
10 fresh basil leaves, whole
2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves
3 tbsp butter
4 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper

Directions
In a large skillet, add olive oil and butter, sauté eggplant first for a few minutes, then add; onions, green pepper, red pepper and garlic.  Cook vegetables until slightly tender. Add basil leaves, oregano, marinara sauce, kalamata olives, salt and pepper and simmer for additional 5 minutes.  Add cooked sausage and cooked and drained pasta, then toss and cook for additional minute so the marinara sauce reduces and coats all the pasta.  Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serves 6

Tuna Nicoise Sandwich

Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
This Is Not Your Momma's Tuna Sandwich!
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
4 slices rustic bread, grilled
2  small jars Italian Tuna in Olive oil, lemon and pepper
1/2 cup kalamata olives, drained and sliced in half
1 tbsp capers, drained
2 tbsp green onion, sliced
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and boiled, sliced
2 hard boiled eggs, sliced
2 cups spring mix (arugula, baby spinach, baby Swiss chard)
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

Directions
In a small mixing bowl, add the tuna and some of the oil (try not to break apart the tuna too much, you want some large chunks).  Add kalamata olives, capers, green onion, parsley and toss lightly.  Place 1 cup of spring mix on a slice of grilled bread, add the tuna mixture, then top with sliced boiled potatoes and the slices of hard boiled eggs.  Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, top with second slice of grilled bread.
Yields 2 Sandwiches

Rustic Ham And Beans With Cornbread

Rustic Ham And Beans With Cornbread
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 bag of dry navy beans ( soak overnight in water)
4 cups chicken broth, add more broth if needed
2 cups water
2-3 ham shanks
salt
pepper

Directions
Place dry beans in large bowl, add cold water and fill few inches above beans and set out overnight to hydrate.  Drain beans into a colander then add beans to slow cooker and then add chicken broth, water and nestle ham shanks in the beans and broth. Use more broth if needed to cover ham.
Cook beans on high for 9 hours, salt, pepper to taste.  Serve beans over corn bread.

Corn Bread
Ingredients
1 box of Jiffy cornbread mix
1/2 tsp salt 
1 (14 ounce) can creamed corn
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
2/3 cup melted butter
2 eggs, beaten

Directions
Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased cast iron pan or baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 min.
Serves 6